The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. Declares Distribution And Discloses Sources Of Distribution - Section 19(a) Notice

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ZTR) today announced a monthly distribution of $0.089 per share, payable on October 21, 2014, to shareholders of record on October 14, 2014 (ex-date October 9, 2014).

The Fund has a Managed Distribution Plan ("Plan") to pay 7% of the Fund's net asset value on an annualized basis, consistent with its primary investment objectives and as required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Distributions may represent earnings from net investment income, capital gains, or if necessary, return of capital. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's Plan.

The following chart discloses information on the sources of the distribution:

(1) YTD February 3, 2014 to January 9, 2015. (The distribution paid on January 9, 2014 was reportable for tax on Form 1099 in 2013)

Under the terms of the Fund's managed distribution policy, the Fund seeks to maintain a consistent distribution level that may be paid in part or in full from net investment income and realized capital gains, or a combination thereof. Shareholders should note, however, that if the Fund's aggregate net investment income and net realized capital gains are less than the amount of the distribution level, the difference will be distributed from the Fund's assets and will constitute a return of the shareholder's capital. A return of capital is not taxable; rather it reduces a shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares of the Fund.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send shareholders a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

Information regarding the Fund's performance and distribution rates is set forth below. Please note that all performance figures are based on the Fund's NAV and not the market price of the Fund's shares. Performance figures are not meant to represent individual shareholder performance.

Section 19(a) notices are posted on the Fund's website at:
ZTR 19A Notices

The Zweig closed-end funds are advised by Zweig Advisers LLC.  For more information on the Fund, please contact shareholder services at 800.272.2700, by email at [email protected], or visit us on the web at www.virtus.com.

SOURCE The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc.